Lecture 1 consisted of two sections, 1) an introduction to the module and 2) the viewing of a 2009 docudrama entitled 'The Age of Stupid', the module introduction consisted of the lecturer introducing himself along with his field of speciality, as well as clearly outlining our lecture timetable and the course curriculum. I found the information provided highly insightful as it established a valuable starting point that made the module expectations both concise and interesting.
The lecturer explained that he is unaware of what will happen regarding climate change, proclaiming that it is simply your personal opinion supported by facts that you find to be credible. Following this, he proceeded to state that the Earth is rising in temperature by cause of the increased amount of fossil fuels that we continue to burn into our atmosphere. As I explained with the lecturer, I find the acceptance of our currently warming planet as the 'worst case scenario' questionable, this is resultant of some of my Independent Study research which identified that we (specifically England and its surrounding areas) are currently meant to be experiencing an Ice Age, however, it is being held off by the increase in global temperature. Although we are clearly abusing our planets natural resources, I struggle to determine what would be worse...cooking or freezing. The information about our delayed Ice Age can be found in the documentary, 'Britain's Most Extreme Weather: Ice', on the following website link, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-most-extreme-weather/on-demand/58424-002.
The second element of the lecture (viewing 'The Age of Stupid') has been analysed below.
'The Age of Stupid'
('The Age of Stupid' Trailer - you can watch the whole film on the following website link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpSdPP9b0pc).
Set in the year 2055, the 2009 docudrama 'The Age of Stupid' portrays a feasible apocalyptic representation of our world, resultant of both our arrogance and ignorance towards sustainable adaptation. The primary element I discovered upon viewing this film is our infatuation with the aesthetics, the manufacturing boom combined with our impulsive consumerism has resulted in an unquenchable determination to discover, expand and develop. Alternative energy has been readily available for over 50 years, however as an energy source, it has been somewhat disregarded as we have over-indulged in the unnecessary comforts of novelty items such as foot-warmers and nose hair trimmers. This film has reinforced the fact that we have become accustomed to abusing the environment to ensure the maintenance of needless luxuries such as drag racing and airline holidays (as highlighted in the film), it is thus becoming a highly debated issue that's enabled comedians such as Lee Evans to utilise it within their material...
"They're making us pay a fortune for electricity, ya know. They reckon we should save the planet, save electricity and all that sort of stuff. Oh, yeah, I'm loving this shit they're coming out with! You got the Chinese bellowing out shit for coal-fired power stations, the Americans are driving about in 4x4 Humvees, Las Vegas is lit up like a giant Christmas tree, but they reckon if I switch off this little standby button on my TV..." - Quote from Lee Evans from his 'Big Live at the O2' Tour (2008), (secondary source of quote = http://www.jokes4us.com/peoplejokes/comedianjokes/leeevansjokes.html).
(Mr Lee Evans)
The Age of Stupid emphasises our automatic favouritism towards luxury, despite the worlds environmental warning signs we continue to ignore the sensibility and practicality of the renewable lifestyle. This is specifically illustrated when the film displays the environmental efforts of Piers Guys Bedfordshire wind farm. which is unfortunately prevented by the Anti-Wind Campaigners who argued that it would, in short, spoil their view of the landscape, with one women hypocritically stating...
"Of course we're worried about global warming, I mean that's got to be something we're all concerned about, I mean we're all doing our bit to try and conserve and looking at renewable energy, of course, absolutely, yeah I mean, *laughs like a nervous maniac*".
It seems as if our priorities have been distorted by the potentiality of new and improved manufactured goods, with the majority of consumers not wishing to adjust their lifestyle in favour of the renewable, producers are thus continuing to churn out the products towards those who can afford them, ignoring the needs of those who can't. Greed has resulted in wars over resources (e.g. the Iraq War - partially based around oil) with savage and malicious outcomes (i.e. reference to the two children in the film who lost their father after Americans killed him in Iraq). Oil is an essential resource that can be located within the majority of products we produce, however, the world is currently producing less barrels and geographically there aren't as many new oil fields being discovered. Lecturer Andy Stevenson's summary of our oil reliance (prior to watching the film), combined with The Age of Stupid's visual justifications and examples, conveys the importance of oil, making it credible to conclude that our inevitable loss of the resource will bring the world and its occupants to a halt if nothing is done.
(Oil Field in Azerbaijan)
Overall, I have found both Lecture 1 and 'The Age of Stupid' highly insightful as it has highlighted the energy crisis that both the world and mankind are now facing, as well as an alternative perspective into lifestyle changes and measures that urgently require activation.
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